Bimetallic Pd-Fe catalysts supported on TiO 2 are shown to be highly effective toward the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde via the in situ production of H 2 O 2 from molecular H 2 and O 2 , under conditions where no reaction is observed with molecular O 2 alone. The rate of benzyl alcohol oxidation observed over supported Pd-Fe nanoparticles is significantly higher than those of either Pd-Au or Pd-only analogues. This enhanced activity can be attributed to the bifunctionality of the Pd-Fe catalyst to both synthesize H 2 O 2 and catalyze the production of oxygen-based radical specie,s as indicated by an electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. Further studies also reveal the noninnocent nature of the solvent, resulting in the propagation of radical generation pathways.

The lability of aluminium is exploited to give a highly effective catalyst for the trimerization of isocyanates.

The industrially important para-xylene oxidation reaction, based on a Co/Mn/Br catalyst, operates in a water/acetic acid (H2O/AcOH) solvent system. The correct H2O/AcOH ratio of the solvent is crucial in controlling...

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